Growing Rice (Lowland/Paddy) in Narok
Soil suitability analysis based on Narok's nutrient profile
Narok County is a challenging environment for Rice (Lowland/Paddy) (soil-match score 33/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.13 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 4.5–7 band Rice (Lowland/Paddy) prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.63 g/kg), phosphorus (25.7 mg/kg) and potassium (234 mg/kg) all meet Rice (Lowland/Paddy)'s requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Rice (Lowland/Paddy), which favours clay. Narok receives approximately 800 mm/year — well below Rice (Lowland/Paddy)'s minimum of 1100 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 100/kg) and a typical 2,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Rice (Lowland/Paddy) crop here can gross roughly KES 200,000 per acre.
Soil match analysis
| Nutrient | Narok soil | Rice (Lowland/Paddy) needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.13 | 4.5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.63 g/kg | min 1.2 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.7 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 234 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag